Shortly after the United States entered World War I, the regiment was constituted in the National Army on 18 May 1917, and organized on 18 February 1918 at Fort Sam Houston.

Its designated mobilization training station was Fort Oglethorpe, and its primary ROTC feeder school was the University of Georgia.

[5] After the United States entered World War II, it was converted into the 544th Signal Aircraft Warning Regiment on 30 January 1942.

The regimental motto, "Anima Fortuna Sequitur" (Fortune Follows Courage), was attached to the bottom of the distinctive unit insignia.

The regimental coat of arms was of a similar design to the distinctive unit insignia but included the Organized Reserve's Minuteman crest above the shield and omitted the motto.